With unique and bold geometric designs crafted exclusively from gold, silver, and gunmetal, Third Crown has found fans in some of our favorite celebrities. Created by Kristin and Kofi Essel, power couple designers, their jewelry has been seen on Beyoncé, Solange, and even Cardi B.
The Harlem based co-designers Kristin and Kofi Essel fuse their love of geometric shapes with the details found in their architectural surroundings to create their collection of men’s and women’s jewelry. Their shared desire to delve into the accessories world came early on for the co-creatives.
Applying their collective experience and passion, the husband-and-wife team launched the brand and named it Third Crown to celebrate the merging of two forces coming together to form something new. With their collection, the designers celebrate their mutual fascination with structure, architectural lines, and bold accents. Each piece is defined by clean lines and an understated chic, turning them into wardrobe essentials.
In an interview with The Fader, they talk more about the origins of Third Crown.
"We were doing design for some time, but we wanted to do our own thing. Originally, we wanted to do it in clothing, but when Kristin moved to New York she was mostly getting jobs in jewelry. She learned the ropes and became interested in going in that direction. I wanted a rosary, so she handmade me a rosary — it was awesome. So then I asked her, “Would you want to start a company in jewelry?” Eventually, we just started making pieces, a lot of family and friends became interested, and then we expanded," Kofi explains.
"Our pieces aren’t dainty little knick knacks," Kristin explained. "Our pieces are big, not always heavy, but they have weight; you know what you’re paying for with our pieces. They stand-out. — You can wear an all black outfit and then a Third Crown bangle and you feel good. Our aesthetic is big and bold."
Kristin explained that one really exciting moment for the brand was when Queen Bey sported the jewelry.
"When Beyoncé wore our jewelry, that was a really big moment. It was kinda a surprise, we actually gave her the jewelry like a year before she wore it. She posted a picture on Instagram and my friend tagged me like, “Hey, isn’t this your jewelry?” and I was like, “No, it’s not.” Then [Beyoncé’s] stylist tagged us in the photo like, “Hey Third Crown, this is you.” She wore the jewelry then, then went on vacation in Paris — every day we were on the tabloids stalking her pictures. I found pictures of her in her private jet wearing our jewelry, in the museum. She wore it like every day of that Paris trip."
Since then, Solange and Cardi B have been spotted in the jewelry. However, the couple doesn't want to stop there. They hope to see everyone in their jewelry.
When asked about what's next, the couple says they're gearing up for their fall collection.
"It’s called the Prizm collection. Geometric shapes and architecture are two of our big influences, so we designed around a pyramid shape that we transformed into a signature Cuban link chain. We’re calling it the Harlem link chain because that’s where we’re based," Kofi concluded.
We can't wait to see more from this couple and their amazing brand. For now, make sure to check them out. Their pieces are just what you need to set your outfit off.
